ArticleJMIR formative research2026
Self-Perceived Preparedness Needs Among Caregivers of Veterans With and Without Dementia: An Exploratory Study Using Open-Ended Survey Data.
Article in JMIR formative research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundCaregivers' self-perceived preparedness for caregiving influences care recipients' and caregivers' emotional health, and care recipients' aging in place. Dementia's unique, long, and progressive nature compared to other age-related illnesses, along with associated behavioral symptoms and personality changes, may cause caregivers' preparedness to vary significantly from that of those caring for patients with other chronic conditions.
objectiveThis study aimed to describe and compare specific domains and tasks in which family caregivers of veterans with and without dementia reported wanting to be better prepared.
methodsUsing the Veterans Affairs' HERO CARE (Home Excellence Resource Outcome Center to Advance, Redefine, and Evaluate Non-Institutional Care) Survey data, we analyzed caregivers' responses to one open-ended question: "Out of all the tasks that you help the veteran with, is there anything specific you would like to be better prepared for?" Response themes were deductively coded into 9 domains, and differences in reported domains between caregivers of care recipients with and without dementia were compared.
resultsA total of 732 caregivers were included: 301 (41.1%) caregivers of veterans with dementia and 431 (58.9%) without. Caregivers of veterans with and without dementia, respectively, were similar except in age, being spousal caregivers, working at least part-time, hours of care provision per week, and proportion with a high burden. Veterans with dementia, versus without, were older and had higher frailty and risk scores. Preparedness concerns among caregivers (N=732) included care coordination (n=164, 22.4%), emotional and social support (n=145, 19.8%), advance planning (n=116, 15.8%), nursing and health monitoring (n=94, 12.8%), personal care (n=65, 8.9%), mobility (n=79, 10.8%), household (n=58, 7.9%), caregiver self-care (n=36, 4.9%), and emergent situations (n=28, 3.8%). The commonest tasks caregivers expressed needs for included managing emotional and behavioral symptoms (n=74, 10.1%), recognizing and responding to significant changes in the veterans' condition (n=66, 9.0%), seeking medical information relevant to the veterans' needs (n=54, 7.4%), handling financial and legal matters (n=52, 7.1%), and advocating for services (n=49, 6.7%). Similar proportions of caregivers of veterans with and without dementia reported preparedness needs in all domains and tasks.
conclusionsThe preparedness needs of caregivers of veterans with and without dementia were mostly similar in most domains and tasks. The commonest preparedness gaps were in the domains of care coordination, emotional and social support, and advance planning. The findings can inform interventions to prepare all caregivers to support aging in place.
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